Okanagan College Faculty Association

04/26/2025

Two news stories covering what is happening at the college for faculty.

03/29/2025

Time to let the government know you support your community-based post-secondary education. We are hurting. https://bit.ly/41RJyYZ?r=qr

03/27/2025

Times are tough for our faculty. All are impacted by the changes around them. Those continuing members who recieved pre-layoff notice, losing experienced members through early retirement, and many silent layoff equivalents of non-renewal of contracts for term members and Distance Education instructors. The OCFA is working tirelessly to mitigate these losses and prevent more.

12/08/2024

Here is a link to show your support for the BCGEU and send a message that Collective Agreements must be honoured.

Stop Outsourcing Union Jobs at Okanagan College!

12/08/2024

With picket lines around in our communities I call on members to show CUPW workers support. Bargaining is common to all unions and when we support each other our strength is greatest. Here are some B.C. labour history moments to remind us why this important.
https://mailchi.mp/labourheritagecentre/december-2024?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0tusbaI5RZ3oC0mLOapNPjvMcuLViO9QXxI6D6__4O4QUW_UpUQXIH-CU_aem_Sn9qXNZcdiIAAN7ARko_Dw

11/19/2024

UWinnipeg freezes hiring in response to drop in international student enrolment

The University of Winnipeg has frozen hiring in response to declining international student enrolment stemming from federal policy changes. According to Winnipeg Free Press, UWinnipeg President Todd Mondor told the UWinnipeg Senate that new enrolment from non-Canadian students had dropped by 50% for the Fall term; meeting minutes also projected an up-to-$5M decrease in tuition revenue for this fiscal year. UWinnipeg has responded by halting hiring and reducing the non-salary account lines for all departments. University of Winnipeg Faculty Association President Peter Miller said that the hiring freeze will impact faculty who relied on teaching and research assistants to help with teaching and grading.

CBC | Winnipeg Free Press (Manitoba)

11/19/2024

Journal de Montréal, November 19, 2024

CSM suspends admissions until 2026 due to surge in international student numbers

Collège supérieur de Montréal (CSM) has reportedly suspended its admissions until 2026 due to a sudden increase in the number of international students keen to study at the institution. Journal de Montréal and Journal de Québec report that the surge in students stems from both provincial policy—private vocational training establishments such as CSM do not have the same maximum admission thresholds imposed on them as cégeps and universities—and the institution’s eligibility for the post-graduate work permit program. CSM directeur generale Noureddine Hajibi also stated that students from other private institutions in the province have sought to register at CSM after their original institutions or programs became ineligible for the post-graduation work permit program.

11/12/2024

Reposted from X - College and Institutes Canada
CICan is raising urgent concerns over the federal government’s recent immigration policy changes. Canada's postsecondary system is under threat.

The ability of colleges and institutes to provide quality education, support local businesses, and drive innovation is now at risk, as post-secondary institutions nationwide face the impact of Ottawa’s unilateral decision to cap international student permits and align work permits based on perceived labour needs.

Key sectors critical to Canada’s economy and communities rely on international students to meet both labour and program capacity needs. Public colleges, institutes, and provincial and territorial governments are best positioned to understand and respond to their local labour demands—not Ottawa.

We call on the federal government to work collaboratively with educational institutions and provincial and territorial authorities to implement reforms that address community needs, not hurt them.

This is not a partisan issue—it affects all Canadians. Collaboration is essential; too much is at stake.

Read more:

▶ A message to Canadians from Canada’s public colleges and institutes: https://bit.ly/3zKR10C

▶ An Open Letter to Our Sector: https://bit.ly/3Ys0QtX

▶ CICan’s Statement on International Student Reforms: https://bit.ly/3TB2XZH
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada / Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada

Ottawa, September 18, 2024 – Today, Ministers Miller and Boissonnault announced a series of reforms to reduce the number of…